Hardtop use ?

[healeyneil]

I've been enjoying my Z4 convertible all summer, and had the notion to sell the daily, and just use the Z4. So, what difference does the hardtop make ? ( not the coupe - not for me ! )
Some centuries ago I had a Triumph Stag as my everyday car, and the hardtop transformed it - lovely and airy with all the glass, and much quieter. What does the hardtop do for the Z4 ?
Neil

 

[Timmyboybunter]

Definitely quieter, though unless you have the fitting bang on adjustment wise (sometimes scuppered by aging rubber seals on the windscreen surround) you will get wind noise over and above that of the soft roof.

Rear visibility is marginally improved, just by an inch or so either side - enough to make a difference on the motorway though.

Looks are subjective - I for one think the coupe-ish look of the hard tops is fantasitc.

Cost is an issue - finding one in good condition, in the right colour, with all trim present will set you back around a grand. Storage can be a pain, but you can either wall mount, ceiling mount or buy a rollable stand. Decent cover advised to protect your investment.

I bought one for the same reason as you, as I used my E85 pretty much as a daily (unless the number of passengers required dictated I couldn't) but fell out of love with the car before I really got a chance to use the hard top much. It would have really bugged me though, not being able to put the roof down when the odd sunny, crisp winter day cropped up.

Hindsight is wonderful isn't it - my E89 ticks many boxes and solves a handful of issues when compared to a hard-top equipped E85, rearward visibility being very high on that last!

For what it's worth from a previous hard top owner - don't buy one.

 

[healeyneil]

Thanks. I may use the car over this winter as it is and see how I get on then

 

[Sidewaze Samm]

IF you've somewhere to store it, and IF you will have someone to help you put in on/take it off (they're pretty substantial) - then get one.
Quieter road noise, though the potential for greater wind noise (the instructions tell you how to adjust the fit).
Looks are subjective, but in my opinion look great. Even had someone ask what the car was, as they didn't recognise it as a Z4 (! - OK, maybe not the most knowledgeable of guys )
Yes, they're expensive, and can be very hard to get if not silver or black. BUT - you can be pretty sure about getting your money back if and when you decide you don't like it.

 

[kis]

So, what difference does the hardtop make ? ( not the coupe - not for me ! )

The BM’s are built quite well. So there isn’t really that much gained by the hardtop.

The road noise, maybe a tad quieter and slightly larger window. But the soft top is very good. You shouldn’t have any issues with just the soft top year round. Then if you have a unusually good day in the winter you can always make use of the soft top without the faff of removing the hardtop.

I’ve had an MX5, where the hardtop transformed the car. Very noticeably quieter and stiffened up the whole body. That never happened in the Zed!

Run the Zed for a winter, ensure the drains are kept nice and clear. You shouldn’t have any issues and then you can re-evaluate if you still want it next year (you don’t need it).
I think it’s largely aesthetic, rather than any real Driving related gains... my hardtop stays on year round. For a mixture of reasons, mainly aesthetics and no storage space!